III
REPORT TO COUNCIL
SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIORS
November 29, 1996
INFORMATION
1. Annual Report 1995-1996
The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors has enjoyed an active and
progressive two years due to the commitment and enthusiasm of its
membership.
BACKGROUND
The Committee was established in July, 1983, to work with City
Council, civic staff and other civic bodies to promote the well-being of
senior citizens in Vancouver, and to ensure the participation of the
elderly in all aspects of City life. Its objectives are to:
- provide a forum for the discussion and evaluation of existing and
proposed health, housing transportation and multi-cultural services
for seniors;
- advise and liaise with City Council, Council appointed Advisory
Committees and other seniors related groups;
- be a support to groups endeavouring to initiate and develop
projects to assist seniors;
- offer a means of disseminating pertinent information obtained and
evaluated by Committee members to appropriate agencies and groups
throughout the City; and
- provide representation at various events and conferences concerning
innovations, legislation and policies affecting seniors and to
report back to the Committee and City Council.
The Committee s membership is comprised of individuals active in
other organizations representing the City s grassroots community and
diverse ethnic groups. The members are dedicated to the resolution of
major issues confronting today s seniors.
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors has three subcommittees,
Health, Housing and Multi-cultural, each of which made significant
contributions to the Committee s work during 1995 and 1996.
Subcommittee membership includes members of the Committee, health
professionals and other interested individuals from the community.
The following information offers an overview of the
accomplishments, presentations and projects concerning each of the
subcommittees.
a) Housing Sub-committee
The Housing Subcommittee reviewed many projects in 1995 and 1996,
including:
- Elks Club, 1313 Granville Street;
- Edith Cavell Hospital, 2855 Sohpia Street;
- Southpines Multi-level Care, 325 West 59th Avenue;
- Marathon Coal Harbour, Harbour Green Park;
- Arbutus Village;
- Hellenic Seniors Housing, 4492 Arbutus Street;
- St. George s Place, 2950 Laurel Street;
- Block 17, Chinese Benevolent Association;
- St. Luke s Home Society, 340-344 East Cordova Street;
- Southview Lodge, 7252 Kerr Street;
- CARE Housing Society, 183 Drake Street;
- Balaclava Mews, 41st and Balaclava;
- Fairhaven Home for Seniors, 2720 East 48th Avenue; and
- Three Links Care Home, 2940 East 22nd Avenue.
The Subcommittee noted most applicants lacked an awareness of
design features to include in their projects which would promote aging
in place. Furthermore, the Subcommittee has observed the general public
also lacks an awareness concerning aging in place design features.
An additional Subcommittee concern, applicable to most projects
reviewed, was the amount of space allocated to bicycle storage. Rather
than being designed specifically for bike storage, the Subcommittee
felt, in seniors housing projects, this space should be designed and
designated as general storage which could accommodate cumbersome
equipment, such as wheelchairs. This space should also provide the
necessary facilities to accommodate the residents need to recharge the
batteries associated with this kind of equipment.
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
The Subcommittee has concerns with the application review process.
Although this process has improved, increased communication with
Vancouver City Planning staff would be of benefit. Communication could
be initiated at the conceptual stage and continue through the rezoning
and/or development and building and permit stages. It is anticipated
the additional liaison between Planning staff and the subcommittee could
save applicants time and money and result in more suitable seniors
housing.
b) Health Sub-committee
The Health Subcommittee considered many different issues and became
involved in several specific projects in 1995 and 1996, including:
- initiation of the 1994-1996 Hard of Hearing project in
partnership with UBC, the Vancouver Health Department Audiology
Department and the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing; and
- partnership with the UBC Faculty of Dentistry in an attempt to
address dental needs of seniors in care facilities and the
community.
In addition to the active role the Subcommittee has undertaken in
addressing seniors health care issues, it has received presentations
regarding reference based pricing, the pharmacare program and from the
Nutrition Neighbours and Sharing Kitchens projects.
c) Multi-cultural Sub-committee
The Multi-cultural Subcommittee has held its meetings in different
locations in the City to gain an appreciation of the diversity of
cultures in Vancouver. An issue of concern to the Subcommittee has been
language barriers and the need for assistive interpreters in government
offices and health care facilities.
In addition to its independent interests, the Subcommittee
represents the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors on Vancouver City s
Senior Cross-Cultural Network .
Clause No. 1 (Cont'd)
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
The Committee has reported to Council on several projects and
issues, including:
- Marathon Coal Harbour Development;
- Parkdale Manor, 25th and Macdonald;
- 33rd and Arbutus rental prices; and
- permissive tax exemption for pre-1974 housing properties.
In addition, the Committee has received presentations on a variety
of topics from many individuals and organizations, including:
- Veronica Doyle, Manager of Policy Analysis, Housing Branch,
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing;
- Sharon Martin and Anne Crichton, Vancouver Regional Health Board;
- Glen Maddess, Fire Chief, Vancouver Fire Department;
- Tom Perry, MLA;
- Val Pattee, Executive Director, BC Ambulance Services; and
- Tom Rainey, General Manager, Pacific Transit Cooperative.
It should also be noted the Committee continues to be concerned
with the cost and efficiency of the planned changes in ambulance and
fire department emergency service delivery.
CONCLUSION
As the proportion of seniors in the population of Vancouver increases,
the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors is dedicated to improving
their well-being, to this end, the Committee s members are prepared to
play a more significant role in addressing issues that jeopardize
seniors quality of life.
"(signed) Mary Bosze and Kay Stovold"
Co-chairs
Special Advisory Committee on Seniors
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager submits the foregoing for INFORMATION.
* * * * *